Brazil’s Biggest Anti-Gang Operation: 64 Killed, 42 Rifles Seized in Rio de Janeiro Crackdown
enforcement
In one of Brazil’s most extensive law enforcement actions to date, Rio de Janeiro police launched a massive crackdown on the notorious Comando Vermelho criminal network. The large-scale operation, conducted across the Complexo do Alemão and Complexo da Penha favelas, resulted in at least 64 deaths and 81 arrests, according to officials.
Rio de Janeiro | October 28, 2025: Authorities confirmed the seizure of 42 high-powered rifles, large quantities of ammunition, and several armoured vehicles used by the gang. Reports also indicated that gang members used drones equipped with explosives, marking a worrying escalation in the sophistication of organised crime.
More than 2,500 police officers, supported by military units and helicopters, participated in the coordinated raids. Rio’s state governor described the operation as “the largest ever” in the city’s history, calling it a necessary step to reclaim territories long controlled by drug traffickers.
However, the intense violence has sparked criticism from human-rights organisations, which have accused the authorities of using excessive force and endangering civilians living in densely populated favelas. Community leaders reported widespread panic and temporary displacement among residents during the confrontation.
The Comando Vermelho, one of Brazil’s oldest and most powerful drug cartels, has dominated Rio’s narcotics trade for decades. Officials stated that the aim of this week’s operation was to dismantle the group’s logistics and weapons supply chain, signalling the government’s intent to deliver a decisive blow against urban organised crime.
